Online Veterinary Pharmacies - Buyer Beware!

Shopping online has become part of the norm for many of us.  Everything from clothing, books, to groceries can be ordered, purchased and delivered online…so what about veterinary prescriptions? The development of internet "veterinary pharmacies” has increased substantially over the past couple of years.  While it can be tempting to shop on these websites based on the “bargains” advertised, our veterinary team would like to make sure our clients are aware of some of the potential hazards associated with filling prescriptions from these pharmacies.

Obviously one of the primary concerns is whether or not the drug that was prescribed is indeed the drug that you are getting!  The old adage of “buyer beware” is certainly applicable here, as unfortunately there are many fraudulent veterinary online pharmacies that are dispensing counterfeit medications.  The veterinarians at our hospital have seen first-hand the serious damage that can be done when a patient who is supposed to be receiving a specific medication is being given a fraudulent one; resulting in the severe illness or even death of that patient.  It is heart-breaking for our team, the owner and of course the patient who ends up paying the ultimate price.   Some of our clients have even brought in the medications they ordered online, still in the box for our veterinarians to examine, and it was then noted that a completely different drug than what was prescribed was shipped to the owner!  

Secondly, with online purchases there is no one available to give instructions or demonstrations for the proper use of the medication.  This can result in adverse drug reactions or side effects for the patient that the owner was not aware of nor anticipating.  At Wascana Animal Hospital, our veterinary team prides itself on excellent communication with our clients on the use of medications for our patients.  We provide discussion on label directions, possible adverse effects, drug interactions to avoid, and “how-to” demonstrations to be sure of appropriate and comfortable administration- none of which you may receive from an online veterinary pharmacy.   

Additionally, presuming you are receiving the actual drug prescribed, quality control with online pharmacies is a huge issue.  Many online veterinary pharmacies are located in a different jurisdiction than the client ordering them (far overseas in many cases!).  Therefore, these pharmacies are often protected from legal claims if the drug is somehow compromised.  Many medications need to be protected from extreme heat, cold or are even light-sensitive.  If the drug is damaged in transit or improperly shipped, drug efficacy can be compromised.  So how can you be sure your medication has been appropriately stored and handled while in transit- the answer is, you can’t!  Another benefit to filling your prescription at your veterinary clinic, is the assurance that the medication has been properly stored and handled until it has been dispensed to you- with instructions on how to do so once at home with you too!

Another factor to consider is of course, actual cost.  Requesting a written prescription from your veterinarian has a cost associated with it.  As with human medications, veterinary prescriptions may only provide refills for a certain length of time to allow for appropriate monitoring of the patient and drug response.  Each time a new prescription needs to be obtained, an additional fee may apply.  This is important to consider with cost comparison when using other pharmacies.  Also, if the wrong medication has been sent and cannot be returned, it has already cost you money and now you need to pay again to actually get the correct medication on top of that.   Lastly, costs many not only be monetary.  Sadly, as in some of the cases we mentioned above, there is the potential cost to your pet’s health if the medication is wrong or fraudulent.  Is it then worth the “bargain price” if your pet then becomes seriously ill and requires additional examinations, hospitalization and treatment, or at worst… is no longer with you? 

If you have any additional questions about possibly filling a veterinary prescription online, please contact one of our veterinarians to discuss things further and think carefully about whether the benefits are worth the risks.